Revisiting the classic corn bulb in 2026 - with schematic @bigclivedotcom

Revisiting the classic corn bulb in 2026 - with schematic @bigclivedotcom

Uploaded February 2026 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago

This style of LED bulb has been around for a long time now, and they always seem to push the LEDs to the limit at the expense of lifespan.

Here's a circuitry revisit for one bought recently, to see how it has changed if at all.

This bulb is intended for 220-240V use, but does light on 120V at a reduced brightness, so for 120V countries it does not need hacked to lower the power.

If you want one of these to play with or hack then this one came from AliExpress (not a sponsor).
This is an affiliate link, but should not affect the price you pay:-
https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_c3gB2F1z

You can also get coloured versions with a buck converter circuit in them:-
https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_c37wEd9N

If you enjoy my videos then the easiest way to support the channel is to subscribe for more good video content. But if you would like to contribute a dollar or two for coffee, cookies and gadgets to take apart, you can do so by supporting me on Patreon. I release videos without adverts for critique and feedback on Patreon as soon as they have been made. I also do Patreon live streams, which are much more relaxed and chatty than the busy public ones.

patreon.com/bigclive

Alternatively, for a single coffee contribution you can use PayPal:-
paypal.com/paypalme/bigclive

#ElectronicsCreators

Revisiting the classic corn bulb in 2026 - with schematic

AliExpress unbagging joy - Vehicle stuff, load tester, quackery

Cute vintage resistor ballasted fluorescent tube

Inside a sealed solar floodlight with a defective solar panel

$AliExpress unbagging joy with fake lego and hotel stuff - VOLUME ALERT! Another Santa-sack of technical goodies from AliExpress for us to explore. Here are some links to the items on AliExpress (not a sponsor). These are affiliate links, but that will not affect the price you pay. Keep in mind that these products may not meet your countrys standards. Single ended cut to length LED filament:- https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_c4kBOIiV Cost about £1. Solar car light thing:- https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_c4l9Bnod Cost about £2. Fake lego portaloo portable toilet. This is apparently referred to as an MOC (My Own Creation) and is generally more fun that official models, and a tiny fraction of the price:- https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005004572701012.html Cost about £3. Real lego has a slightly dark history. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hilary_Page Water level sensor module (Ive not explored it yet.):- https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_c3KSo6FX Cost about £2. UVC toilet steriliser. Ive made the video - its totally fake, but will make your toilet look very futuristic:- https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_c2z6dZPL Cost about £3. The intriguing glass vehicle bulbs that I tested in arcade buttons:- https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_c3RUv0cD Cost about £2 for a pair. Im about to order a blue version of this bulb so we can see the construction with the bare chips. High voltage module:- https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_c30656qV Cost about £2. As mentioned in the video the quoted output voltage is fake. Sharp electrodes will spark at around 1kV per mm due to ionisation. NEVER operate these modules with the output wires more than 20mm apart, as the high open circuit voltage can destroy the internal circuitry. Pimple hydrocolloid patches:- https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_c4NdiUch Cost about £1.20 for loads. German parking timer disk that cheats:- https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005008806388282.html Cost about £3. Hotel grade programmable 500ml capacity oil diffuser for creating a controlled ambient aroma:- https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_c3UaFpAZ Cost about £30. I also got some Weston hotel white tea aroma oil and even on the lowest setting this unit is far too powerful for a small home. The place experiences explosive bursts of intense bergamot aroma. You can buy small USB rechargeable home aroma units for just a few pounds, and bottles of their own aromas for about £2 that can be refilled with something of your own choice. Note that thicker essential oils can be watered down with very light volatile mineral oil. Larger venturi units are used by theme parks to give a characteristic aroma to themed attractions. They are terrible to refill and maintain because you end up getting the aroma oils on your hands and clothing. If you enjoy my videos and would like to support me with a dollar or two for coffee, cookies and gadgets to take apart, you can do so by supporting me on Patreon. I release videos without adverts for critique and feedback on Patreon as soon as they have been made. I also release Patreon-only backstage videos when Im working on shows. https://www.patreon.com/bigclive Alternatively, for a single coffee contribution you can use PayPal:- https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/bigclive #ElectronicsCreators$

Exploring a cheap OBD2 vehicle diagnostics module

AliExpress unbagging joy - pumps, pipes, infrared and a wall garden

Dire retro rechargeable keychain torch.

Inside toy video walkie talkies

$AliExpress bag of joy. LCD microscope, Quran-plug, tiny LED street lights and more Another Santa-sack of technical goodies from AliExpress for us to explore. Here are some links to the items on AliExpress (not a sponsor). These are affiliate links, but that will not affect the price you pay. Keep in mind that these products may not meet your countrys standards. Some listings may not work for some countries and some may just be sold out or disappear. The silicone E27 pendant lamp holder - note that I got a white one just to use with the existing pink silicone cover:- https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_c3gxmSit Fake foliage - the pine tree branches (openscad script at bottom of this text):- https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_c3RrEFBP The green lacquered wire Xmas light string. The 100 and 200 LED sets come with a USB plug and the longer sets come with a plug-in power adapter (with a European plug). It does say 220-240V on the adapter, but I tested it on 110V and they lit. The best thing about these is that they have no flashing modes at all:- https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_c2xAdRIH The mini building block electrical panel and ten of the mini bollard lights is a cheap way to get a starter kit:- https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_c3mVDv0h The tall street lights can be bought individually with an LED colour choice:- https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_c4OcMl2l The short bollards with globe top are on the same listing:- https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_c4OcMl2l The hollow stackable round pillars are available in a generous multipack with a wide range of colours in single colour or multicolour options:- https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_c3APMGeZ The LCD/camera magnifier is pretty good, but has a fixed focal position and is designed for use against flat surfaces. It does have a micro SD card slot and can either charge, be used as a camera or appear as a drive when plugged into a USB port:- https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_c3InSQF7 Note that this appeared in the bundle deal section at a lower cost, so shop around. The spicy ozone generator with an interesting high frequency and high voltage supply:- https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_c35vW6Kt Intriguing Quran night light with chants. Apparently ablution has different meanings in the UK and some religions. Its NOT doing a poo - in this context its the act of washing yourself in a strict sequence before prayer:- https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_c2vTwB6V The openscad script for the customisable 3D printed flora-bulb is at the bottom of this description. If you enjoy my videos and would like to support me with a dollar or two for coffee, cookies and gadgets to take apart, you can do so by supporting me on Patreon. I release videos without adverts for critique and feedback on Patreon as soon as they have been made. I also release Patreon-only backstage videos when Im working on shows. https://www.patreon.com/bigclive Alternatively, for a single coffee contribution you can use PayPal:- https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/bigclive #ElectronicsCreators Heres the openscad script for the very odd flora-bulb. If you copy and paste it into the free openscad software it will let you make a custom STL file. //LED bulb foliage adapter //bigclivedotcom rim=44; //LED lamp rim diameter cap=80; //largest cap diameter ring=20; //diameter of stem ring hole=4; //size of stem hole deep=20; //depth of stem hole $fn=100; //facets difference(){ union(){ difference(){ union(){ //Main body cylinder(h=15,d1=cap-10,d2=cap); translate([0,0,15]) cylinder(h=50,d1=cap,d2=rim); //lamp insert translate([0,0,60]) cylinder(h=10,d=rim); } //INTERIOR //rim base translate([0,0,1]) cylinder(h=14,d1=cap-12,d2=cap-2); translate([0,0,15]) cylinder(h=50,d1=cap-2,d2=rim-2); translate([0,0,59]) cylinder(h=15,d=rim-2); } //Circle of foliage supports for (i=[0:60:330])rotate([0, 0, i]){ //Foliage insertion pillar translate([ring,0,0]) cylinder(h=deep,d=hole+2); //Pointed tip translate([ring,0,deep]) cylinder(h=hole+.5,d1=hole+2,d2=0); //Base flange translate([ring,0,0]) cylinder(h=hole,d1=hole+4,d2=hole+2); } } //Circle of foliage support internals for (i=[0:60:330])rotate([0, 0, i]){ //tube core translate([ring,0,-1]) cylinder(h=deep+1,d=hole); //Pointed tip translate([ring,0,deep]) cylinder(h=hole-1,d1=hole,d2=0); //slight taper at tube entrance translate([ring,0,-.1]) cylinder(h=2,d1=hole+2,d2=hole); } //x-ray cube //translate([-50,-50,-1]) //cube([100,50,100]); }$

Scoping out an ultrasonic water atomiser

inside a mains voltage touch-dimmer - with schematic

bigclivedotcom |

Revisiting the classic corn bulb in 2026 - with schematic